teery



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

` S. L. TERRY. PRESSURE RECORDER FOR. FLUID PRESSURE BRAKES.

Patented Oct. 6, 1896.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l2.

NUNITED STATES I rrrcn.

PATENT SAMUEL L. TERRY, OF PHILLIPSBURG, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO lVILLlAM STRETTON, OF SAME PLACE.

PRESSURE-RECORDER FOR FLUID-PRESSURE BRAKES.

SPECFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 568,963, dated October 6, 1896.

Application filed Tulle 24, 1895. Sellal N0. 553,906. (N0 model 4 To @ZZ who/l1, it 'ntrti/ co/tcci'lt:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL L. TERRY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Phillipsb urg, in the county of Phillips and'State of Kansas, have invented a new and useful Pressure-Recorder for Fluid-Pressure Brakes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a recording device for air-brake mechanism, and the object in view is to provide means for-recording the numberof applications made bythe engineer or others of the air-brake, together with the extent of pressure at each application.

There are times when too many applications of the air-brake reduces the pressure in the train-pipe to such an extent that when-it is desired to make a 'Linal stop there is an insufficiency of air to properly accomplish this purpose, and when such an emergency arises upon a grade accidents are liable to occur. The device embodying my invention makes a record of the number of applications and the extent of each application, whereby the officials of the railroad are enabled to ascertain whether accidents occurring in this mann er are due to inattention or inei'liciency,or to a failure upon the part of the brake mechanism to properly perform its functions. The record of the amount of pressure would also advise the officials of a too severe application of the brakes, whereby the wheels are caused to slide or skate Further objects and advantages of this invention will appear in the following description, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a recording device constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same. Fig. 8 is a transverse section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a partial side view. Fig. 5 is a face view of the dial with the positions of the markers indicated thereon.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the iigures of the drawings.

1 designates a casing bored to form a cylinder 2 of large diameter and a communicating cylinder 3 of smaller diameter, an inlet-pipe 4. being in communication with the end of the large cylinder and an exhaust 5 being in communication with said cylinder at an interval from the head adjacent to the inletpipe. f The cylinder is inclosed withina jacket 6, of cast-iron or its equivalen t, and the outer end of the small cylinder is iitted with a removable cap 7. Threaded in a central opening 8 in saidcap is an adjustable plug 9, through which passes a stem 10, connected to a slide or plunger 11, arranged in the small cylinder. The inner end of the stem 10 is shouldered or headed, as shown at 12, to iit in a counterbored socket 13 at the inner end ol' the slide or plunger, and a return-spring lil is coiled upon the stem between the extremity oi' said socketand the inner side of the plug 9. The plug 9 is provided upon its inner side with a tubular extension 15, which incloses the contiguous end of the coiled spring 14, and coiled around this extension is an auxiliary spring 16, which terminates at an interval from the slide or plunger, whereby when the slide or plunger is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 it comes in contact with the end of the auxiliary spring 1G after it has moved through a portion of its path.

Arranged in the main cylinder is a piston having parallel spaced heads 17 and 18 and a disk 19, which operates in the communicating small cylinder, whereby when the piston is actuated by the application of pressure motion is communicated to the slide or plunger by means of the disk 19. The wall of the main cylinder is channeled, as shown at 20,

,to allow pressure admitted at the outer side of the head 17 to pass to the space between the heads and thereby affect both heads of the piston. This increases the area of the piston, and hence the efficiency of the pressure. The springs which are arranged in the small cylinder are designed to repress the slide or plunger and the piston to expose the exhaust-port when the pressure is relieved.

21 represents a rack carried by the slide or plunger and engaging a pinion 22, arranged upon a transverse shaft 23. Fitted to slide upon a squared portion of this shaft is the movable member 24 of a clutch, adapted to IOO engage a Vtixed member 25, which is arranged upon a `rotary shalt extension 2li. A spring 27 is employed to holdthe clutch-faces oi the members 2i and 25 in operative relation, whereby motion is communicated from the shaft 22) to the shaft extension 2G whenv the pinion 22 's rotated by the movement ol the slide or plunger in the direction Vindicated by the arrow in Fig. i. When the pinion is turned in the oppositedirection, the member 2t slips idly upon the member 25 and allows the shaft extension 2G to remain at rest.. Wranged in a plane perpendicular to the direction oi movenient ot' the stem 10 is a recording-medium dial 2S, to which motion is communicated from the shaft 2li by suitable gearing which is so constructed and arranged as to reduce the motion, the terminal gear 2f) being provided willi crown gear-teeth 23 to mesh with the peripheral teeth ol a dial 2S.

Secured to the exposed extremity oi' the stem i() is a head 3],provided with a socket. 32,111 which is fitted a marker 33, which may consist of a pencil, as indicated in the drawings. Arranged in the socket iii rear ot said pencil is a cushion-springl fit, and the pencil is preferably secured by means ol. a set-screw 35 in a sleeve 3ll,\vhich isarrangcd to slide axially in the socket. Arranged upon the head 3l are auxiliary sockets and 3S, constructed substantially as above described and litt ed with markers 3) and et), the tips or points ol` which are arranged at dillerent intervals lrom the plane ol the dial 28. llence when the stem it) is advanced by the forward movement oi the piston in the main cylinder the marker 33 llirst comes in contact with the surface oi the dial, and as the dial receives a rotary movement through the gearing above described it is obvious that a mark would be made upon the surface ol the dial to indicate that an application oi' pressure has been made. It' the pressure applied is small, the marker $523 is the only one which will come in Contact with the dial, but il" greater pressure is applied the marker -ltl will be brought into contact with the face ol the dial,and subsequently any increased pressurey will cause the marker 3l) to come in contact with the dial. The cushion-springs with which the markers are provided allow the advance ol' the head to bring the markers successively into contact with the dial without injury t'o or straining oi'l the parts. rilius three dil"- ferent tilegrces ol pressure may be indicated upon the dial b v means ol' the markers, and by using a greater number of niarkers still further dillercnees may be recortgled.

After the removal oi the pressure and the withdrawal ot' the markers i'rom lthe dial the parts are returned to their normal positions, as indicated in Fig. l, the backward movement of the slide or plunger 11 being el'l'cctved without turning the dial by reason ol'l the clutch mechanism above described. Villen, however, a subsequent application of pressure is made, the slide or plunger moves forward a limited distance, controlled. by the length ot the socket 13, and hence operates the gearing and turns the dial belore the stem l0 receives motion7 and therefore an interval is formed between the preceding and the sueceeding mark or marks upon the dial to disi tinguish the times oi application ol pressure.

in connection with the above mechanism i employ a disk il., arranged at the side ol the small cylinder and provided upon its inner surlace with ratchet-teeth L.i2 tor engagement by a springactuated pawl iii on the slide or plunger l1. This disk is graduated from l. to i8 and is adapted to receive a forward impulse in the direction ol t-he `graduat ions by means ot' the slide orplunger. The function of this disk is as follows:

It indicates the maximum pressure applied to the brake mechanism when the latter is operated under an emergency. Under these circumstances an unusually heavy pressure is necessary, and such pressure is indicated on the dial in pounds. it will be seen that this part ol` the mechanism opera-res independentlyof that' above described. The dial is not moved under ordinary applications oi' pres sure; but when the pressure exceeds a certain limit the pawl iengages the rack and turns thedial. llenco when au excessive pressure is applied to the. brakes in an emergency the dial is advanced and remains in a position to show the extent ot" that pressure when consulted by the authorities ot" the road.

itl a subsequent emergency application is made, the pawl iii will again engage the rack and further advance the disk il, thus showingthe sum ot' the number ol' pounds expended during the two applications over and above that necessary l'or applying t he brakes; but one such application is ordinarily the limit ina single run, and il' more are made the recording device, hereiniwi'ore described7 will indicate the number. In lfigs. l and -lthe pawl -ij is shown in operative relation with the rack ol the disk l'or the purpose ol` illustration7 but it will bc understood that in practice it is only brought into such opel-at ive relation when the pressure in tho apparatus exceeds the amount necessary i'or applying the brakes.

The connection with the air-brake mechanism is accomplished by means ol tite inlet` pipe t, which is preferably connected to the train-pipe oi the system, whereby the piston which operates in the main cylinder receives the direct pressure ot' the air or other lluid upon cach application oi the brakes, and whereby the movement of the piston is proportionate totheamountol pressureapplied.

The dial 2S is provided lor each trip with a face or disk ell, oi' paper or equivalent material, the surface oi which is provided with concentric seriesl ot' short division-marks designed to indicate the extent ol' rotation et the dial duringI the application ol. pressure.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details ot' construction may be lOO llC

iig

resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having described my invention, what l claim is- 1. A device for recording the number of applications of pressure in a fluid-pressure brake mechanism, the same having a piston exposed to train-pipe pressure, a slide or plunger adapted to be moved in one direction by the piston and having` a return-spring, a recording medium, connections between the recording medium and the slide or plunger, including; a clutch mechanism, whereby forward motion only is communicated to the recording medium, and a marker operatively connected with the slide or plu nger and ada-pted to be moved into contact with the surface of the recording medium, substantially as specified.

2. A device for recording the number of applications of pressure in a fluid-pressure brake mechanism, the same having a piston exposed to train-pipe pressure, a movable recording medium, a marker, connections between the piston and said marker and recording medium whereby the recording1 medium receives a limited movement before the marker is affected, and means for returning the marker and piston to their initial positions, substantially as specified.

3. A device for recording the number of applications of pressure in a fluid-pressure brake mechanism, the same having a piston exposed to train-pipe pressure, a movable recording medium, means for operating' the recording medium, and a plurality of markers operatively connected to the piston and adapted to be advanced toward the plane of and brought successively in contact with the suri'ace of the recording medium to indicate pressures of different tension, substantially as specified.

a. A device for recording the number of applications of pressure in a fluid-pressure brake mechanism, the same having a piston exposed to train-pipe pressure, a slide or plunger arranged in the path of the piston and carrying a rack, a pinion meshing with said rack, a rotary dial, gearing connecting the dial with said pinion, interposed clutch mechanism to communicate forward and pre- Vent backward rotation of the dial, a marker adapted to come in contact with the surface of the dial, and connections between the marker and the slide or plunger, substantially as specified.

5. A device for recording the number of applications of pressure in a fluid-pressure brake mechanism, the same having a piston exposed to train-pipe pressure, a slide or plunger arranged in the path of the piston, a dial, connections between the slide or plunger and the dial, whereby motion in a uniform direction is imparted to the dial, a stem loosely connected to the slide or plunger whereby the slide or plunger is capable of a limited motion independently of the stem, a return-spring for the slide or plunger, and a marker carriedv by the stem and adapted to be brought thereby into contact with the surface of the dial, substantially as specified.

G. A device for recording the number of applications of pressure in a fluid-pressure brake mechanism, the same having a piston exposed to train-pipe pressure, a slide or plunger arranged in the path of the piston, a stem loosely connected to the slide or plunger, whereby the latter is capable of a limited movement independently of the stem, a return-spring for the slide or plunger, an auX- iliary spring adapted to be engaged by the slide or plunger at an intermediate point of ils path, a marker carried by the stem, a rotary dial arranged in the path of the marker, and connections between the slide or plunger and the dial, substantially as specified.

7. A device for recording the number of applications of pressure in a fluid-pressure brake mechanism, the same having a piston exposed to train -pipe pressure, a slide or plunger arranged in the path of the piston, a stem loosely connected to the slide or plunger whereby the latter is capable of alimited movement independently of the stem, a returnsspring for the slide or plunger, an auxiliary spring adapted to be engaged by the slide or plunger at an intermediate point of its movement, means for adjusting said springs, a marker carried by the stem, a rotary dial arranged in the path of the marker, and means for communicating motion from the slide or plunger to the dial, substantially as specified.

8. A device for recording the number of applications of pressure in a fluid-pressure brake mechanism, the same having a piston 'exposed to train-pipe pressure, a plunger arranged in the path of the piston, a stem connected to the plunger, a return-sprin g for the slide or plunger, a rotary dial, connections between the slide or plunger and the dia-l, a head carried by the stem, and a plurality of spring-pressed markers carried by the head with their tips or points at diiferent intervals from the plane of the dial and adapted tobe successively brought into contact with the surface thereof, substantially as specified.

9. A device for recording the number of applications of pressure in a Huid-pressure brake mechanism, the same having a piston exposed to train pipe pressure, a slide or plunger arranged in the path of the piston, a stem connected to the slide or plunger, main and auxiliary springs for returning the slide or plunger, the latter being engaged by the slide or plunger at an intermediate point of its movement, a rotary dial, connections beh tween the slide or plunger and the dial, a head fixed to the stem, sockets arranged upon the head, markers iitted to slide in the sockets and adapted to be brought successively in contact with the surface of the dial, and cushion-springs for holding the tips or points IOO el the Amarkers at different distances from the plane of the dial and allowing the repression thereof when brought into contact with the dial, substantially as specified.

l0. A device for recording the number of applications of pressure in a Yfluid-pressure brake mechanism, the same having communicatin main and auxiliary cylinders, the main cylinder having inlet and exhaust ports, a piston arranged in the main cylinder and provided with a disk operating in the auxiliary cylinder, a slide er plunger arranged in the auxiliary cylinder, a stem having a headed or shouldered extremity fitting in a socket in the slide or plunger, whereby the slide or plunger is capable oilimited movement indepe ndcntly of the stem, main and auxiliary springs for returning the slide or plunger, the auxiliary spring terminating short of the plane of the plunger and adapted to be engaged thereby at an intermediate peint et' its stroke, a dial, connections between the slide or plunger and the dial whereby rotary motion is imparted to the latter at each forward movement of the former, anda plurality of repressible markers adapted to be brought into contact with the surface el the dial and having their points normally arranged at dili'erent intervals from the surface thereof, substantially as specilieib ll. A device for recording the number of applications oi pressure in a duid-pressure brake mechanism, including a movable recording medium, a marker mounted for movement toward and from the plane of the recording medium, means controlled by and permanently exposed to Huid-pressure in the brake mechanism for moving the marker toward the recording medium, and means controlled by Il uiibpressure 'for operating the recording medinm, substantially as speeilied.

l2. A device lor recording the number of applications of pressure in a lluicl-priessure brake mechanism, including a movable recording medium, a cushioned marker mounted lor movement toward and from the plane oi the recordingmedium and yieldingly held out of contacttherewith,means controlled by train-pipe pressure for moving the marker toward the recording medium, and means controlled by train-pipe pressure for imparting advance movement to the recording mcdium, substantially as specified.

13. In a lluidpi.'essure brake system, the combination with a moving part exposed to fluid-pressure, of a pressure-recording device, and connections between the moving part and the recording` device, whereby the former is adapted to move a limited distance without imparting motion to the latter, substantially as specified.

l-l. ln a .lluid pressure brake system, the combination with a moving part permanently exposed to fluid-linessu re and yieldngly held in its repressed position, ol"l a movable pressurea'ecording device, and means connected with said recording device and arranged in the path of the moving part, whereby movement ol' the moving part due to a iluid-prcssure sufficient .lfor operating the brake mechanism under ordinary (,:ireumstances allowed without affecting the recording device, substantially as specilied.

Means for recording the maximum application of pressure in a lluid-pressure brake mechanism, the same including a movable recording device capable of movement in one direction only, a moving part or member exposed to fluid-pressure 'in the brake mechananism, and means connected tothe recording device and arranged in the path el. said moving partwhereby motion is communicated by said moving part or member tothe recording device when the l'luid-pressure in the brake mechanism exceeds a predetermined limit, substantially as specilicd.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto allixed my signature in the presence ol; two witnesses.

Witnesses:

JOHN G. Gneuan'r, JN0. T. lieven. 

